The interview I did the other night is now up at Safe Space Radio’s website. It was a good one, and I think you can tell that we both enjoyed the conversation which is the best kind of interview. Honestly, we probably could have talked for another hour.
Canine Fine Dining
This is just too brilliant: surreal, funny, deeply human in some way that’s utterly bizarre:
Just genius: I can’t stop watching it.
Interview: Safe Space Radio
Tonight I’ll be interviewed on Safe Space Radio, out of Maine.
Definitely do check out some of the other interviews Dr. Anne has done on trans issues – the one on the trans youth summer camp is particularly interesting.
Two Tune Tuesday: Neko Case
This one’s for Betty, and Women’s History Month:
Her voice is like spun gold, thick and honeyed and sweet.
Look Ma, It Can Talk!
As others on our mHB message boards have noticed, there is a certain tone of disbelief in stories about trans women who are attractive that is offensive, frustrating, and yet – and yet – progress.
In this story about a trans woman and trans man not being allowed entry into Egypt, it’s just a mention of her “outstanding beauty” – I’m sure she was – but once you’ve read enough news stories like this you just get a kind of creepy feeling. I have a friend who used to refer to it as the “look ma, it can talk!” tone (except he was taking about stories about African Americans).
& That’s aside from there being no explanation as to why, when everything they said was true, and their IDs checked out, they were still sent back to Jordan.
And because I have some very literal readers, I will add here that I find this practice of being amazed that a trans woman can be not only a woman but an attractive woman, appalling and offensive.
All Out: Help Brazil Pass a Hate Crimes Law
A 22 year old woman named Priscila was murdered execution style in Brazil. Too many LGBT people in Brazil – particularly trans people – are killed. A local group, All Out, is seeking a hate crimes law to help prevent these murders, and have an online petition you can sign.
I didn’t embed the video here because it’s too triggery for too many of us who have lost people to transphobic violence. Do watch, because it’s important – and a lovely chance to see this young woman alive and optimistic about her life – but I thought people needed to ready to watch.
ENDA Returns
As if my days aren’t heady enough living in Wisconsin, it turns out that ENDA is about to be introduced in DC. It’s not expected to pass, however.
But the general consensus among Capitol Hill observers is that passage of any pro-LGBT legislation, including ENDA, will be a significant challenge for at least two years with Republicans in control of the U.S. House. Last year, Frank told the Blade there would be “zero chance” for the passage of any legislation that would directly benefit the LGBT community.
Still, Frank said introduction of the legislation is important to educate the public and members of Congress, especially on the transgender protections included in the bill.
“It’s important to introduce it to give people a chance to lobby their members on it,” Frank said. “Having a bill there encourages people to lobby their members. Particularly, we need people to do more lobbying and educating on the transgender issue, and so having a bill there is a very important part of getting the votes ultimately to be able to pass it.”
(boldface mine)
Honestly, I never expected Rep. Frank to be behind a version that included trans protections; like many (but not all) gay men of his age, he really didn’t seem to get the trans thing at all. (I have no doubt that Diego Sanchez has been educating him from the elbow these past couple of years, either.)
Chrissie Edkins Interview
This is one of the better interviews with a trans woman I’ve seen.
She’s gorgeous and gracious and serious. And bi. Am I allowed to say hot? Yes, she’s hot.
Two Tune Tuesday: Joe Hill
Madison’s protests meet Women’s History Month, but how could I resist Paul Robeson’s version of “Joe Hill”, too? Damn: that one gives me shivers.
Still, folk singers of two generations: : Joan Baez’s “Joe Hill” was a huge deal at Woodstock, and Michelle Shocked performed at the Madison protests a couple of weekends ago. Here’s her “Quality of Mercy” (and you can read the lyrics here).
Honestly, I almost choked when I saw the images of Joe Hill at the first rally I went to; seeing his image was like going backwards & forwards in time at the same time.
#2
What is there I could possibly say about Japan? There are reports of a 2nd tsunami now, and I can’t even get my head around some of the footage of the 1st. Those poor people.
Love to them, & to all of those all over the world who can’t yet even get a hold of their loved ones there.